A new state law requires businesses that buy metals, including scrap yards, to take a photo of the seller, get vehicle information and a copy of the ID. The information will be put into a database for law enforcement to use to help identify thieves. (Uploaded to Flickr by Flavio)

MONTGOMERY,
Alabama -- A new, tougher law on the sale of scrap metal in Alabama has some
police departments wondering why it took so long.

The new law requires sellers of scrap metal be photographed, provide a copy of a
personal identification card and give information to identify their vehicles. All
the information must be submitted to a statewide database and kept for at least
one year from the date of the sale.

Sgt.
Johnathan Clifton with the Opelika Police Department, said that city has had a
similar ordinance in place since May 2007.

"It's a very
big problem," Clifton said. "Copper is mainly what people steal. They do more
damage to the houses than just the theft."

Clifton said
the existing ordinance required buyers of scrap metal to have vehicle
information and copies of identification cards on file.

"To be
honest, if you didn't have that information, it would be like a shot in the
dark," Clifton said.

In
Montgomery, scrap yards are required to make a copy of a valid ID and enter the
information into a system that police monitor. Sgt. Regina Duckett said some of
the businesses took pictures, but were not required to do so.

Duckett said
the new requirements should definitely help address the multiple cases of metal
theft the department sees each week. "We can't
ever get enough information. As long as they are complying with the law, it
will definitely help," Duckett said.

The Dothan
Police Department receives about 65 to 75 cases of metal theft per month, and
Sgt. Rachel David said the solve rate relies solely on how much information the
buyer gets from the seller.

She said
local businesses already take down the information required by the new law.

"It is being
a responsible buyer that protects them from purchasing stolen items and assists
with prosecuting when it happens," David said. "Without good documentation,
these cases are typically hard to close."

Clifton said
thieves are already outsmarting the system. He said the OPD has already seen
cases where they melt down the copper, or other metal, and sell it as a lump. He's
also seen where the plastic casings, which typically carry identifying codes, have
been cut off. Without identifying markings or code numbers, Clifton said it is
much harder to solve the crimes.

The new law also toughens punishments for thieves. Depending on the nature of the crime and whether it is a repeat infraction, violators can face from a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison and a $3,000 fine, to a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison and a $60,000 fine.